Question on Fiber Optics

[shotgunlebowski]

What's the best way to secure the strands inside the model. I'm guessing any of the typical model glues would ruin the strands. Would elmers white work or too week?

Thanks

John

[USS Atlantis]

Some say Elmers will work fine

I found that some of my FO strands were pulling loose even after the Elmers dried

So, I used my Squadron White putty to secure them - seems to not have damaged the FO, and they're very secure in there

[DLMatthys]

Gap filling CA glue....Stuck and stuck on real good!

[USS Atlantis]

Gap filling CA glue....Stuck and stuck on real good!

Only if they're actual Glass strands, Don

The plastic strands that I use become brittle with the application of any CA

[DLMatthys]

I know Ken, they would be brittle... seen it happen with the chemical reaction. In any case... the FOs I glued in years ago are still in place.

Epoxy is nice... won't attack chemically the FO but I don't care to wait the 5 minutes.

[Balok]

I'm wondering if a dab of black E-6000 plastic glue wouldn't be a good choice for both strength and light blocking properties. Might melt the strand... Hmm... Time for a test.

[Antenociti]

Canopy Glue works very well as does epoxy - wont go near CA after the fumes ate the outer layer on the fibre

[photoguy]

What about plain ol' rubber cement? Shouldn't do a thing to the plastic or the FO, and it's plenty tacky up front while it's drying. Could be worth a shot.

[starmanmm]

depending on the thickness of the strand... low temp hot glue... the small gun used by scrapbook clubs and such.

Ok... just used a low temp glue gun on F0 that is .75mm in diameter. The FO did not melt nor deformed. Seems to be sticking pretty well.

It is called the Adhesive Tech - MINI Low Temp Gluse Gun. Picked it up at Wal Mart.

Works for me.

[Lord Darth Beavis]

What about a little tape, or cable ties to bundle the fibers? As for securing them I'd do epoxy, after stringing them thru the holes...of course, that's just me...

[USS Atlantis]

What about a little tape, or cable ties to bundle the fibers? As for securing them I'd do epoxy, after stringing them thru the holes...of course, that's just me...

For bundling, I use low-temp shrink-tube

It's also what I use to attach the bundle ends to the LED source - just use enough heat to shrink the tube and avoid hot spots

[Antenociti]

What about a little tape, or cable ties to bundle the fibers? As for securing them I'd do epoxy, after stringing them thru the holes...of course, that's just me...

For bundling, I use low-temp shrink-tube

It's also what I use to attach the bundle ends to the LED source - just use enough heat to shrink the tube and avoid hot spots

ditto

[Madman Lighting]

I've used CA and it does work but it also makes the fibers brittle, esp if you use the accelerator.

I've been advocating white glue for a while cause it wont damage fibers.

I like that low-temp hot glue idea, where can I get some?

-John C.

[starmanmm]

I picked up both the gun and glue sticks at Wal Mart in the craft department.

Would be safe to say Michaels or AC Moore would have it also.

I've listed the name of the gun... so you should be set on that.

So far... it has held my FO on the 1/1000 D7 no problem.... and I have been bending the sh&t out of the fiber to place it into the main hull.

[Newbie Doobie]

I use Bob Smith industries superglue gel. This dries in about ten minutes,and I've had no problems with it so far! Most people aren't aware that you can also use hot melt glue,but this is messy,and requires some care. You can use superglue(thin)with baking soda to solidify any small parts that you don't want to flop around. This too,requires a certain amount of care! I found that you can make repairs with this,and use it sparingly to secure things that you don't want to break easily! I hope this helps.